The best traffic-free bike rides around Sant'Angelo Lodigiano

The Canale della Muzza is an important hydraulic work from the 12th-13th century that branches off the Adda river in Cassano d'Adda and extends for about 39 km to Castiglione d'Adda. It is one of the oldest and largest irrigation canals in Europe, fundamental for Lodi's agriculture, now also flanked by cycle paths.

The Castello di San Colombano (or Castello Belgioioso) stands in the medieval village famous for its vineyards and for being an exclave in the province of Milan. Dating back to the 6th century and rebuilt by Barbarossa in 1164, it is divided between a private area (the keep) and a communal one (the fortified village).

The Ramp on Via Collada in San Colombano al Lambro (MI) is a climb of about 700-1160 meters that starts right by the castle walls. It is known for its challenging average gradient of ~17% and peaks exceeding 20%] Length: Approximately 1.16 km (with a steep initial section of ~ 500 meters). Elevation gain: ~ 199 meters. Average gradient: 17.12%. Maximum gradient: Very steep, suitable for intense training (MTB/road bike climb category).

Any trail that winds through its vicinity is wonderful, a shame about the interruption between Zelo and Galgagnano of the path due to the hunting area, incidentally a beautiful place part of the ADDA sud Park but inexplicably in the hands of one or more private individuals who have made it their "hunting park" by fencing it all in. I happened to get inside by mistake, finding one of the numerous open gates and could no longer get out, finding the others closed, receiving a couple of shots in the air behind my back to make me understand that I was not welcome! A real shame because it interrupts the descent from Zelo towards Lodi along the Adda. Beyond the "hunting park" I believe that the passage along the river (state-owned area!!) SHOULD always be guaranteed without any ifs or buts!

The Ciaparat Chapel is a landmark mainly known on road cycling routes around Sant'Angelo Lodigiano and the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano, often included in loop itineraries between Bascapè, Locate Triulzi, and Vistarino. It is a popular area for moderate road bike training, with asphalted roads.

The Muzza Canal is the oldest in Europe and just this year, its 800th anniversary was celebrated by the Municipality of Paullo in collaboration with the Pro Loco and other Municipalities. Its origin dates back to the year 1220, when Frederick II of Swabia, crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, issued an imperial edict that granted the people of Lodi the right to use the waters flowing within their territory. The current route, about 60 km long, receives the waters of the Adda River at Cassano d’Adda, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level, crosses the Lodi territory for about 40 km until near Castiglione d’Adda, at an altitude of 45 m above sea level, and here it releases them back into the Adda River. It has a regulated water regime, with a flow rate, depending on the season, of about 200 thousand liters of water per second; an initial width of 50 meters which reduces to a few meters at the end of its course and an average depth of 2 meters.

Very nice tour, the return phase could be improved as, although cyclable, it runs along the provincial road Crema - Lodi. NEW: an embankment has been built with a cycle path on top from Corte Palasio to the Casellario area, running along the Adda with a small bridge over the Tormo stream. Works in progress, it must be completed but is already passable. Beautiful, scenic and shady in the woods.

Beautiful in any weather condition